Legarda calls on lawmakers to implement Climate Prosperity Plan
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Loren Legarda on Monday called on lawmakers to fully implement the Climate Prosperity Plan, emphasizing the importance of building resilient communities and a sustainable future.
Legarda made this call during the high-level meeting of the CVF (Climate Vulnerable Forum) -V20 (Vulnerable 20) and key stakeholders of the government. The meeting aimed to explore legislative measures to push for climate resiliency and advance its efforts for the country.
CVF-V20 is a coalition of 74 climate-vulnerable countries, including the Philippines, that advocates for climate action and financing goals and investment.
The countries develop the Climate Prosperity Plans, which serves as the investment national strategy to develop renewable energy, risk management tools, and nature-based solutions for strengthened economies in the pursuit of a climate-resilient future.
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“To my esteemed colleagues in the Philippine Congress, I issue a solemn call to action: Let us make the full implementation of our Climate Prosperity Plan our most enduring legacy,” she said in her speech.
“Let our collective efforts safeguard our precious cultural treasures, empower our resilient communities, and build a sustainable future for all Filipinos,” she added.
Legarda, principal author of the Climate Change Act which established the People’s Survival Fund, urged her fellow lawmakers to embed the principles of the Climate Prosperity Plan to “every law, every budget, and every community initiative we undertake.”
Legarda also reminded her fellow lawmakers that they are more than just policymakers, but the “stewards of the nation’s future,” responsible for ensuring that their policies are committed to culture preservation and climate action.
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Climate change and cultural heritage
Legarda underscored that the Filipino culture, from traditions and languages to artistic expressions, is intertwined with the natural environment. However, she pointed out that climate change forces communities to abandon their ancestral homes and threatens erosion of cultural identity and social structures.
The senator noted that the extreme heat could cost the Philippines an estimated P466 billion annually by 2030.
“We must confront the root causes of climate-induced migration and ensure that those who are displaced are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve,” she said. /cb
